The Mumbai Maharashtra Region

The massive city of Mumbai dominates this region. It is home to India’s world-famous Bollywood movie industry and the Reserve Bank of India and is one of the top 10 financial centers of the world. The city, formerly known as Bombay, is also a transportation hub, with sea, rail, road and air service linking it directly to the rest of India and the world. Mumbai is also known for its immense slums and an area that is arguably the world’s largest red-light district.

Although the Mumbai Maharashtra Region is predominantly Hindu, the city of Pune is home to several Christian ministries along with spiritual centers for a number of eastern religions.

The Mumbai-Pune Expressway, India’s first six-lane, high-speed road, was completed in 2002 and has reduced travel time between these two cities to about two hours.